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Fruit, Chicken, and Quinoa Salad with Citrus Poppy Seed Dressing

Fruit, Chicken, and Quinoa Salad 1

It’s weird to be thinking about upcoming events…and needing a babysitter. It’s bizarre to think that in a few weeks, I’m going to be a MOM. Pinch me!!

It’s beyond my comprehension as to why Mr. Prevention agreed to go to Babies R Us with me last weekend to return a few things and finish gathering must-have items off our registry. I know the rainy weather was the only reason he was agreeable, but he was quickly regretting his decision when the shopping trip turned into a Babies R Us excursion that absorbed the ENTIRE afternoon. Hey, at least we saved over $200 with my amazing couponing skills!

Fruit, Chicken, and Quinoa Salad 2

I knew I had lost him by the first aisle. Go figure, breast milk storage bags and slow flow vs. medium flow bottle nipples didn’t hold his attention…not even for a second. I figured the experience would improve when we got around to the strollers, but he just plopped down on the display shelving and price compared on Amazon and other online retailers, inquiring over and over again, “Well, why do you want this one instead of this one?”

Duuuuuuuuuuude. I listen to other women and have done exhausting amounts of research on…all things baby.

He should really learn to pick his battles.

Fruit, Chicken, and Quinoa Salad 3

When I whipped up this Fruit, Chicken, and Quinoa Salad with Citrus Poppy Seed Dressing on Tuesday night, I informed him that “it would probably be a good pizza night” for him. I know he’s not a quinoa lover and would give the side-eye to this meal. It’s his loss if he’d rather have a frozen pizza, and I wasn’t going to try to convince him otherwise.

When he helped himself to a serving, he said it was almost sweet enough to be dessert (thank you, summer produce!) and he piled away a huge helping of the dish…never resorting to pizza for dinner. I didn’t hear a peep about pizza – just that he enjoyed this recipe. It was also enjoyed by my diabetes cooking club and last week, in the cafeteria at work. Yeeep, it’s a winner!

Fruit, Chicken, and Quinoa Salad 4

5.0 from 1 reviews
Fruit, Chicken, and Quinoa Salad with Citrus Poppy Seed Dressing
Author: 
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 8 (about 1⅔ cups each)
 
Ingredients
Salad:
  • 1 cup quinoa (uncooked), rinsed and drained + 1⅓ cups water
  • 1 quart strawberries, quartered
  • 1 pint blueberries
  • 1 mango, diced
  • 1 pint raspberries
  • 1½ lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cooked and sliced
  • 1 cup walnut halves
  • ½ cup (2 oz) feta, crumbled
Dressing:
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • ΒΌ cup apple cider vinegar
  • ⅓ cup honey
  • β…“ cup olive oil
  • Β½ tsp salt
  • 1 Tbsp dijon mustard
  • 1 Tbsp poppy seeds
Instructions
  1. In a small saucepan, add quinoa and water and cook on high. Once it comes to a boil, reduce the heat to low and cover. Let cook for 15 minutes; remove from heat and keep covered for 5+ minutes. Fluff with a fork and allow to cool completely. Note: you can do this step 1-2 days in advance.
  2. Meanwhile, whisk together dressing ingredients in a small bowl.
  3. Once the quinoa is cooled, toss it with the citrus poppy seed dressing in a large bowl. Add the fruit, cooked chicken, and walnuts; toss well. Serve chilled or at room temperature with about 1 tablespoon of feta crumbled over the top of each serving.
Notes
Recipe adapted from Krafted Koch
Nutrition Information
Serving size: 1⅔ cups Calories: 474 Fat: 21.8 Carbohydrates: 44.4 Sugar: 23.1 Sodium: 284 Fiber: 6.0 Protein: 26.8 Cholesterol: 41

 We’re having maternity photos taken tonight – I’m excited! I have just a few photos of myself pregnant, and I’m glad I’ll have something more to remember my pregnancy by 🙂

Be well,

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10 Comments

  1. Kim (Feed Me, Seymour)
    August 28, 2014 / 8:01 am

    He totally should have taken a seat in the comfy rockers they have out on display. I’m pretty sure I actually fell asleep in one of those while pregnant. πŸ™‚ But who knows. Either way, this looks like a fantastic dish to whip up quick on a week night. I’ll definitely be giving it a whirl!

  2. Danielle | Krafted Koch
    August 28, 2014 / 10:37 am

    I love the addition of chicken, walnuts and feta to make this a complete and healthy meal! It’s awesome that your husband enjoyed it, mine won’t touch things like this! πŸ™‚

  3. Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health
    August 28, 2014 / 10:46 am

    i cant believe the time is going by soooo fast…and this salad esp the dressing sounds delicious.

  4. Cookin' Canuck
    August 28, 2014 / 11:18 am

    Too funny…the part about him questioning your stroller choice made me chuckle. Sounds familiar to some of the disagreements my husband and I have.

    This quinoa salad looks fantastic – something I’d happily eat every day for lunch.

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  6. Allison
    August 28, 2014 / 9:47 pm

    So glad we met tonight! It was fun taking pictures of you and your hubby (and your belly of course!).

    I’m excited about your blog! I always love new recipes and your pictures make my mouth water! πŸ™‚

    • Nicole Morrissey
      Author
      August 29, 2014 / 7:13 am

      Thanks, Allie! πŸ™‚ Appreciate it!! And for the sneak peak of the shoot last night! πŸ˜€

  7. Liz
    September 8, 2014 / 4:56 pm

    Hey Nicole, thanks for this recipe! Everyone in my house devoured it – my husband, my foodie sister, and my 2 little girls as well. Plus, their was enough left for 2 adult-sized lunches the next day. Score!

    • Nicole Morrissey
      Author
      September 9, 2014 / 7:10 am

      Hiii Liz! Hope you guys are well – think of you often! I’m so glad this was a hit with the family. It really does make a ton – I sent some with my mom and she fed it to my brother and dad…who also devoured it. Makes my RD heart very happy πŸ™‚

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